So-eun stood up expressionlessly.

“Should I stop?”

“No!”

Tae-jun’s voice raised sharply. So-eun, startled by his outburst, froze in place. Tae-jun, realizing his mistake, closed his eyes tightly, let out a deep sigh, and stood up. He guided So-eun back to her seat.

“Sit.”

He knew there was no need to escalate emotions.

What needed to be said wasn’t such a thing.

He wanted to say thank you for coming, apologize for not understanding her feelings.

In fact, he found it endearing when she, amidst her confusion, opened the office door wide open after knowing that Choi Hyun-ji had come to the company.

He wanted to say such words, but he couldn’t understand why emotions were so delicately entangled.

I am in a state where I cannot control myself.

On one hand, even in such a resentful moment, just looking at her, she was so lovely that he wanted to hug her right away out of pride and whatever else.

“Speak. I’ll listen quietly.”

Suppressing himself, Tae-jun returned to his seat.

“… I live in distress, thinking desperately, but Director can easily let go of everything and make choices, and that made me hate you.”

“…”

“I deceived Director too, so I have no right to resent, but it’s not easing the shock, and it’s hurtful.”

So-eun’s fragile voice echoed through the living room. Unable to acknowledge her claim, Tae-jun’s eyebrows wrinkled like curtain folds.

“It was upsetting to be caught hiding something, and it was embarrassing that Director covered it up again. And…”

And.

The lament was cut off at ‘and.’ Thirst to hear her continue talking arose. While waiting for her words to continue, his Adam’s apple swayed significantly.

As if hesitating to say this or not, she repeatedly detached her lips, then reattached them, breathing evenly. Eventually, she lowered her head. Her trembling fingertips were painfully poignant.

Finally, her lips cautiously parted.

“… I hope I haven’t become a burden to Director.”

It was a confession full of suppressed tears.

A woman expressed, in a pitiful voice, that she hoped not to become a burden to him.

Tae-jun fell silent.

In fact, Tae-jun had not thought he had done anything wrong so far. Because her breaking up with Yang Hee-wook and meeting him was undoubtedly a good thing.

He had been convinced of that, but So-eun, who had learned the whole truth, was deeply shocked. After that, she didn’t contact him, which made him angry. And then, when she finally came after four days, expressing that she felt like being on top of his palm, he felt resentful.

In his relationship with So-eun, he hadn’t done many things as he pleased. He often suppressed desires and impulses, suspecting that she would refuse if he acted as he wanted.
Therefore, he thought there was no need for him to reflect on himself. He simply regarded it as a matter that could be resolved through conversation.

Thinking he was doing well, he hadn’t taken the time to reflect on his own expressions. How he treated her after being shocked by her surgery.

Now that she knew all the facts, as she reminisced about the past alone, recalling the emotions she must have felt, his heart felt heavy.

Ten years ago, when Taejun decided to study abroad at a young age, it was because of the sympathetic glances from those who knew him well. The uncomfortable gaze he received every time his friends, who used to joke and laugh with him, saw his shortcomings. The gaze that made him aware of the difference between him and others.

Taejun had experienced those feelings too, but he had forgotten. How much she, living in a much more challenging environment than himself, had received and endured such gazes.

Even in his belief that his feelings for her were pure love, the fact that sympathy was embedded in the foundation of his heart was another shock that hit him belatedly. He felt sorry for Soeun.

“…It’s not just that feeling. It’s one of the various emotions that I pour out to Ms. Han Soeun.”

“I know. It’s not Director’s fault.”
Soeun smiled at Taejun’s narrow-minded excuse.

“I understand the shock you received, the sympathy you felt, all of it. The truth is.”

Soeun knew that she shouldn’t be resentful. In fact, she knew everything.

“I know that you were considerate. Honestly, I should be grateful.”

Despite knowing everything all along, she expressed her gratitude, saying those pretty words she should have said for his sake.

But apart from those feelings, unable to control the welling frustration, she confessed the truth.

“…So I hate Director. Because you made me feel so helpless.”

“…….”

“…I hate it but I like it.”

To reach that conclusion.

“That’s all. I…”

Tears welled up in her eyes. It was a confession and surrender of all her feelings.

For some reason, I couldn’t give up on this feeling, because I like you too much.

Unable to let go of the feeling of liking you, the answer was already decided from the beginning.

I am just a weak person.